Direct osmotic hydration devices

Abstract

There is disclosed a hydration bag for providing potable or even sterile water from contaminated water sources. Specifically, there is disclosed two embodiments of a passive membrane osmotic device. The first embodiment has an interior space sealed with one or two membrane walls, having an osmotic agent formulation within the interior space, and having direct osmotic concentration properties. The second embodiment has a sealable nutrient/osmotic agent chamber with a spiral wound membrane wrapped around the nutrient/osmotic agent chamber to form the membrane element, wherein the membrane element is located within a sealable dirty water compartment or within a dirty water source and wherein the membrane element communicates with a clean water compartment. More specifically, the osmotic agent or nutrient can be a partially dehydrated food source, a sugar, a medicine, or combinations thereof.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A passive membrane device to provide potable water, medicine, sterile solutions and the like, comprising: 
 (a) a sealed bag made from two flexible polymeric sheets circumferentially sealed to each other and describing an expandable interior space, wherein at least one of the sheets comprises a window cut out;    (b) an asymmetric membrane mounted within the window cut out of the polymeric sheet, wherein the asymmetric membrane comprises a polymeric material caste upon a porous woven or non-woven sheet or screen having at least 30% open area; and    (c) an osmotic agent contained within the expandable interior space;    whereby the osmotic agent within the expandable interior space is able to osmotically drive water across the asymmetric membrane into the interior space.    
     
     
         2 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the polymeric sheets are made from a non-porous and flexible plastic in a sheet form.  
     
     
         3 . The passive membrane device of  claim 2  wherein, the polymeric sheets are made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyethylene, polycarbonate, vinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The passive membrane device of  claim 3  wherein, the polymeric sheet is made from PVC.  
     
     
         5 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the window cut out is in the shape of a rectangle.  
     
     
         6 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the asymmetric membranes are backed with a woven sheet.  
     
     
         7 . The passive membrane device of  claim 6  wherein, the woven sheet is a polyester screen.  
     
     
         8 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the porous sheet contains from about 30% to about 80% open area.  
     
     
         9 . The passive membrane device of  claim 6  wherein, the woven sheet comprises a dense polypropylene nonwoven fabric that has been surface modified with acrylic acid to make it hydrophilic.  
     
     
         10 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the asymmetric membrane is from about 100 to about 300 microns thick (including the woven sheet).  
     
     
         11 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the asymmetric membrane is made from a hydrophilic membrane forming material.  
     
     
         12 . The passive membrane device of  claim 11  wherein, the hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose-based materials, cellulose triacetate ester, cellulose triacetate, cellulose proprianate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose diacetate, blends of cellulose materials, polyurethane, polyamides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The passive membrane device of  claim 12  wherein, the membrane material is cellulose triacetate.  
     
     
         14 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the asymmetric membrane has its water replaced by a polyhydroxy compound.  
     
     
         15 . The passive membrane device of  claim 14  wherein, the polyhydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethyldialcohol, ethylene glycol, a C 2-10  saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The passive membrane device of  claim 15  wherein, the polyhydroxy compound is glycerin.  
     
     
         17 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the osmotic agent has an osmotic concentration of from about 1 bar to about 200 bar.  
     
     
         18 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the osmotic agent is a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a combination of both.  
     
     
         19 . The passive membrane device of  claim 1  wherein, the osmotic agent is a dehydrated food.  
     
     
         20 . A process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two sided walls, wherein the hydration bag comprises a sealed bag having a membrane wall and an osmotic agent contained within, comprising: 
 (a) providing two flexible polymeric sheets, each shaped for a side wall of the hydration bag, and wherein at least one of the flexible polymeric sheets comprises a window cut out;    (b) providing an asymmetric membrane comprising a polymeric material cast upon a porous woven or non-woven sheet or screen having at least 30% open area;    (c) adhering the asymmetric membrane to cover the window on one or two flexible polymeric sheets;    (d) placing a dried osmotic agent on the membrane adhered within the window of a flexible polymeric sheet; and    (e) adhering two flexible polymeric sheets to each other by forming a weld circumferentially around the asymmetric membrane, whereby such that a bag is formed having the osmotic agent contained within an interior space.    
     
     
         21 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the process further comprises (a′) replacing water within the asymmetric membrane with a polyhydroxy compound.  
     
     
         22 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 21 , wherein the polyhydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethyldialcohol, ethylene glycol, a C 2-10  saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 22 , wherein the polyhydroxy compound is glycerin.  
     
     
         24 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the process for (c) adhering the asymmetric membrane to cover the window on one or two flexible polymeric sheets, comprises a process selected from the group consisting of solvent welding, gluing, epoxy-bonding, heat-bonding, radio frequency welding, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 24 , wherein the process for adhering the asymmetric membrane is selected from the group consisting of solvent welding, radio frequency welding the backing side of the asymmetric membrane or side having the porous sheet or screen to the flexible polymeric sheet, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         26 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the backing side of the asymmetric membrane or side having the porous sheet or screen is adhered to the flexible polymeric sheet.  
     
     
         27 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the polymeric sheets are made from a non-porous and flexible plastic in a sheet form.  
     
     
         28 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 27 , wherein the polymeric sheets are made from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyethylene, polycarbonate, vinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the asymmetric membranes are backed with a woven sheet.  
     
     
         30 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 29 , wherein the woven sheet is a polyester screen.  
     
     
         31 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the porous sheet contains from about 30% to about 80% open area.  
     
     
         32 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the asymmetric membrane is from about 100 to about 300 microns thick (including the woven sheet).  
     
     
         33 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the asymmetric membrane is made from a hydrophilic membrane forming material.  
     
     
         34 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 36 , wherein the hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose-based materials, cellulose triacetate ester, cellulose triacetate, cellulose proprianate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose diacetate, blends of cellulose materials, polyurethane, polyamides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the osmotic agent has an osmotic concentration of from about 2 bar to about 200 bar.  
     
     
         36 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the osmotic agent is a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a combination of both.  
     
     
         37 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the osmotic agent is a dehydrated food.  
     
     
         38 . The process for manufacturing a hydration bag having two side walls of  claim 20 , wherein the process (e) adhering two flexible polymeric sheets to each other by forming a weld circumferentially around the asymmetric membrane, comprises an adhering process selected from the group consisting of radio frequency welding, gluing, epoxy welding, heat fusing, solvent welding, clamping, sonic bonding, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         39 . A passive membrane device comprising: 
 (a) a sealed bag made from two asymmetric membranes circumferentially sealed to each other and describing an expandable interior space;    (b) a plurality of polymeric ribs to provide structural support for the passive membrane device; and    (c) an osmotic agent contained within the expandable interior space;    whereby the osmotic agent within the expandable interior space is able to osmotically drive water across the asymmetric membrane into the interior space.    
     
     
         40 . A reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device comprising: 
 (a) a spiral wound membrane element comprising a membrane sandwich wound around a perforated osmotic agent tube, wherein the osmotic agent perforated tube having two sealable ends and lateral walls, wherein the osmotic agent perforated tube comprises a plurality of openings on the lateral walls communicating with a membrane sandwich, wherein the membrane sandwich comprises a membrane, a permeate spacer, and partial length glue to form a barrier;    (b) a dirty water chamber comprising a fixed or portable container of dirty water communicating with outer portion of the spiral wound membrane envelope of the membrane element; and    (c) a potable water compartment communicating with interior of the membrane envelope of the membrane element.    
     
     
         41 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 40 , wherein the membrane in the membrane element is an asymmetric membrane having a backing with a woven or non-woven sheet.  
     
     
         42 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 41 , wherein the woven sheet is a polyester screen.  
     
     
         43 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 41 , wherein the porous sheet contains from about 30% to about 80% open area.  
     
     
         44 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 40 , wherein the asymmetric membrane is from about 100 to about 300 microns thick (including the woven sheet).  
     
     
         45 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 40 , wherein the membrane is made from a hydrophilic membrane forming material.  
     
     
         46 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 45 , wherein the hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose-based materials, cellulose triacetate ester, cellulose triacetate, cellulose proprianate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose diacetate, blends of cellulose materials, polyurethane, polyamides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 46 , wherein the membrane has its water replaced by a polyhydroxy compound.  
     
     
         48 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 47 , wherein the polyhydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethyldialcohol, ethylene glycol, a C 2-10  saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         49 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 40 , wherein the osmotic agent is a carbohydrate or a dehydrated food.  
     
     
         50 . A reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device comprising: 
 (a) a spiral wound element having an inner portion and an outer portion, comprising a membrane sandwich that winds around a perforated feed tube to form the inner portion, wherein the perforated feed tube comprises two sealable ends and lateral walls, wherein the perforated feed tube further comprises a plurality of openings on the lateral walls communicating with a membrane sandwich, wherein the membrane sandwich comprises a sandwich having a membrane element, a permeate spacer element, and a partial length barrier forming an elongated chamber within the membrane sandwich, wherein the outer portion of the spiral wound element comprises openings communicating with the permeate spacer element;    (b) an osmotic agent chamber comprising a fixed or portable container having an inlet port communicating with a first sealable end of the perforated feed tube;    (c) a potable water collection chamber communicating with a second sealable end of the perforated feed tube and    (d) a water feed supply so that water is continuously fed to the elongated chamber within the membrane sandwich.    
     
     
         51 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the partial length barrier element is selected from the group consisting of glue, tape, a moldable polymeric material, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         52 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the osmotic agent chamber further comprises an osmotic agent feed chamber communicating with the inlet port of the osmotic agent chamber.  
     
     
         53 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the spiral wound membrane element is oriented such that its axis is oriented in a vertical direction.  
     
     
         54 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the membrane in the membrane element is an asymmetric membrane.  
     
     
         55 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 54  wherein the asymmetric membrane is backed with a woven sheet.  
     
     
         56 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 55  wherein the woven sheet is a polyester screen.  
     
     
         57 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the porous sheet contains from about 30% to about 80% open area.  
     
     
         58 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the asymmetric membrane is from about 100 to about 300 microns thick (including the woven sheet).  
     
     
         59 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the membrane is made from a hydrophilic membrane forming material.  
     
     
         60 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 59  wherein the hydrophilic material is selected from the group consisting of cellulose-based materials, cellulose triacetate ester, cellulose triacetate, cellulose proprianate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose diacetate, blends of cellulose materials, polyurethane, polyamides, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         61 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 60  wherein the membrane material is cellulose triacetate.  
     
     
         62 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the asymmetric membrane has its water replaced by a polyhydroxy compound.  
     
     
         63 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 62  wherein the polyhydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, ethyldialcohol, ethylene glycol, a C 2-10  saturated or unsaturated fatty acid, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         64 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the osmotic agent has an osmotic concentration of from about 1 bar to about 200 bar.  
     
     
         65 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 50  wherein the osmotic agent is a carbohydrate or a dehydrated food.  
     
     
         66 . The reusable, spiral wound passive membrane device of  claim 65  wherein the osmotic agent is a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a combination of both.  
     
     
         67 . A direct osmotic concentration element comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of tubes or hollow fibers bundled together in the same orientation having void spaces between the tubes or hollow fibers, and having two outer ends, wherein each tube or hollow fiber has a hollow center;    (b) a first chamber for collecting dirty water, wherein the hollow center of each tube or hollow fiber communicates with the first chamber and voids between tubes do not communicate with the first chamber; and    (c) a second chamber for an osmotic agent wherein a second end of the plurality of tubes or hollow fibers communicates with to the second chamber, wherein the center of each tube or hollow fiber communicates with the second chamber whereby voids between tubes are scaled.    
     
     
         68 . The direct osmotic concentration element of  claim 67  wherein the osmotic concentration element further comprises a third chamber for collection of potable liquid and communicating with the second chamber.  
     
     
         69 . The direct osmotic concentration element of  claim 67  wherein the osmotic agent has an osmotic concentration of from about 1 bar to about 200 bar.  
     
     
         70 . The direct osmotic concentration element of  claim 67  wherein the osmotic agent is a carbohydrate.  
     
     
         71 . The direct osmotic concentration element of  claim 70  wherein the osmotic agent is a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a combination of both.  
     
     
         72 . A process for creating potable water from a dirty or contaminated source comprising: 
 (a) providing an osmotic concentration element comprising of a plurality of tubes or hollow fibers bundled together in the same orientation having void spaces between the tubes or hollow fibers, wherein one end of the bundle communicates with and is sealed to a first chamber wherein the center of each tube or hollow fiber communicates with the first chamber, while voids between tubes are sealed, and wherein another end of the bundle communicates with and is sealed to a second chamber wherein the center of each tube or hollow fiber communicates with the second chamber, while voids between tubes are sealed;    (b) immersing the first chamber of the osmotic concentration element in dirty water wherein the first chamber is the lower chamber;    (c) adding an osmotic agent into the first chamber; and    (d) allowing the second chamber to be filled with a dilute solution of clean water.    
     
     
         73 . The process of  claim 72  wherein the osmotic concentration element further comprises a third chamber for collection of potable liquid and communicating with the second chamber.  
     
     
         74 . The process of  claim 72  wherein the tube bundle can also be configured so that the first chamber and the second chamber are formed with opposite ends of the tube bundle protruding through opposite ends of each chamber.  
     
     
         75 . The process of  claim 72  wherein the first chamber is filled with osmotic agent so that it contacts each tube, and the element is immersed in dirty or contaminated water with the bundle of tubes in a vertical orientation, whereby dirty water fills the interior of each tube and water is drawn osmotically across the tube into the second chamber.  
     
     
         76 . A passive membrane device comprising: 
 (a) a sealed bag made from two asymmetric membranes circumferentially sealed to each other and describing an expandable interior space;    (b) a plurality of polymeric ribs to provide structural support for the passive membrane device; and    (c) an osmotic agent contained within the expandable interior space;    whereby the osmotic agent within the expandable interior space is able to osmotically drive water across the asymmetric membrane into the interior space.    
     
     
         77 . The passive membrane device of  claim 76  wherein the osmotic agent has an osmotic concentration of from about 1 bar to about 200 bar.  
     
     
         78 . The passive membrane device of  claim 76  wherein the osmotic agent is a carbohydrate.  
     
     
         79 . The passive membrane device of  claim 78  wherein the osmotic agent is a monosaccharide or a disaccharide or a combination of both.  
     
     
         80 . The passive membrane device of  claim 76  wherein the osmotic agent is a dehydrated food.